Why United Kingdom visa applications get refused, and the fix for each

Not a genuine visitor (paragraph V 4.2)

The officer was not satisfied you would leave the UK at the end of the visit: thin itinerary, unclear purpose, or a history that suggested you intend to live in the UK through repeated visits.

The fix. Rebuild the file around one dated purpose with bookings or an invitation, and set out why you return: approved leave, business, property, dependants. Keep visits well under six months and spaced apart.

Funds and unexplained deposits

Bank statements showed recent lump sums without a source, or the trip cost exceeded what your declared income supports.

The fix. Show six months of statements with the source of every large credit (property sale deed, maturity statement, gift letter with the giver's statements) and keep the trip cost proportionate to income.

Employment or income not verified

UKVI could not confirm the employer letter or the salary did not match the statements, so the ties and funds evidence fell away.

The fix. Use a letter on letterhead with a working phone number and email, and make sure the salary on the letter matches the credits in the statements and the ITR.

Undeclared refusal or deception (paragraph 9.8)

A previous refusal by the UK or another country was not declared, or a document could not be verified. A deception finding brings a ban of up to ten years.

The fix. Declare every refusal and attach the letters; never submit a document you cannot stand behind. If an agent prepared an earlier application, obtain a subject access request before reapplying.

Immigration history

Previous overstaying, working as a visitor, or a long stay in the UK on a visitor visa in the last year.

The fix. Explain the history in a short letter with evidence, allow time to pass since the last visit, and show the new trip is short and purposeful.

Maintenance not held for 28 days or in the wrong format

The balance dipped below the required figure during the 28-day window, the statements were not in an accepted format, or the end date fell more than 31 days before the application.

The fix. Park the full amount early, do not touch it for a month, apply within 31 days of the closing date, and use bank statements or a bank letter that show the account holder, account number and every day's balance.

Genuine student test and credibility interview

The officer doubted you intended to study: a course unrelated to your record, weak knowledge of the course or institution, or a step down in level.

The fix. Prepare a short study plan that connects past study and work to the course and to a career outcome, learn the modules and the sponsor's details, and address any downward move directly.

CAS or sponsor problem

The CAS was used, expired, issued by a sponsor whose licence was suspended, or the details did not match the documents.

The fix. Ask the sponsor for a new CAS and reapply; keep qualification names and grades exactly as the CAS records them.

English evidence not accepted

A non-SELT IELTS, an expired test or a degree not confirmed as taught in English through Ecctis.

The fix. Use a SELT at an approved centre or obtain the Ecctis statement; sponsor-assessed English only works at degree level with a Higher Education Provider.

Immigration history or deception

An undeclared refusal from any country, a forged bank letter, or previous overstaying. Deception brings a ten-year ban.

The fix. Declare everything with the letters attached, use documents the issuer will confirm, and take advice before reapplying after a deception finding.

Salary below the threshold or the going rate

The CoS salary was under £41,700, under the going rate for the occupation code, or pro-rated hours took it below the threshold.

The fix. The sponsor reissues the CoS at a compliant salary for the hours stated; check the going-rates table for the code before the offer is made.

Occupation not eligible at the skill level

The job was coded to a medium-skilled occupation not on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, or the duties did not match the code chosen.

The fix. Re-examine the duties against the SOC 2020 descriptions; use the correct higher-skilled code only if the duties genuinely fit, otherwise the role cannot be sponsored.

English not proven at B2

An older B1 result, a non-SELT test or a degree without an Ecctis statement.

The fix. Take a SELT at B2 or obtain the Ecctis English proficiency statement before applying.

Genuineness of the vacancy or sponsor compliance

UKVI doubted the role existed as described, or the sponsor's licence was downgraded or suspended during processing.

The fix. Employers keep job descriptions, organisation charts and right-to-work records in order; workers should check the sponsor's licence rating on the register before accepting an offer.

Maintenance, TB or criminal record evidence missing

Savings not held for 28 days without sponsor certification, an expired TB certificate, or no police clearance for a listed occupation.

The fix. Ask the sponsor to certify maintenance on the CoS, book the TB test within six months of applying, and request police certificates early; Indian PCCs take two to four weeks.

Financial evidence not in the Appendix FM-SE format

A pay slip or a statement missing from the six months, salary paid in cash, or the employer letter lacking a required statement, so the income was not counted even though it was earned.

The fix. Work from the FM-SE checklist line by line; every pay slip must match a bank credit, and the employer letter must confirm employment, salary, contract type and that the pay slips are genuine.

Relationship not genuine and subsisting

Few meetings before and after the wedding, inconsistent accounts of how you met, no evidence of communication over time.

The fix. Build a chronological bundle covering the whole relationship with a short index, include both partners' statements, and explain cultural context where the marriage was arranged.

English evidence not accepted

A non-SELT test, an expired certificate or a degree without an Ecctis statement.

The fix. Book IELTS Life Skills A1 or another SELT at an approved centre and keep the result within its two-year validity.

Accommodation inadequate or unproven

No tenancy or landlord consent, or a shared house without a property inspection report.

The fix. Provide the tenancy or mortgage statement, a landlord letter permitting the applicant to live there, and an inspection report from the council or a qualified surveyor.

Immigration history or deception

An undeclared refusal or an unverifiable document brings a refusal under the suitability rules and, for deception, a ban of up to ten years.

The fix. Declare every refusal with the letter, use documents the issuer will confirm, and take advice before reapplying after any deception finding.

Excess absences

More than 180 days outside the UK in a rolling 12-month period, often from extended trips to India during the pandemic or for family reasons that did not meet the compelling-circumstances test.

The fix. Rebuild the absence schedule from passports and travel records before applying; if a window exceeds 180 days without an excuse, wait until the five-year period you rely on no longer includes it.

Salary or sponsor evidence not met at settlement

The salary fell below the threshold or going rate at the date of application, or the sponsor letter did not confirm continued need.

The fix. Check the current threshold before applying, ask the sponsor for a letter in the required form, and consider applying after a pay review rather than before.

Applied too early or on the wrong form

The application was submitted more than 28 days before the five-year point or on a form for a different route.

The fix. Calculate the earliest date from the first grant of leave on the route and use SET(O) for work routes or SET(M) for partners.

Life in the UK test or English not met

No pass notification, or a test taken at a centre that does not issue the unique reference number; on the family route, English below B1.

The fix. Book the official test through gov.uk only, and take a SELT at B1 where required.

Suitability: criminality or deception

An undisclosed conviction or fixed penalty, or an earlier application found to contain deception.

The fix. Disclose everything, including spent and overseas matters; take advice before applying where any criminal record exists.